No harmful heavy metals found in soybean oil: Minister

Collected Photo

No harmful heavy metals, including lead, were found in soybean oil sold in Bangladesh, Industries, Commerce and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said on Wednesday (October 14), citing around 193 tests conducted on different brands.

Speaking at an event marking World Standards Day at the Officers’ Club in Dhaka, the minister said the tests were conducted following media reports about a Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) report that raised concerns over lead contamination in soybean oil.

He described the reports as misinformation and said the test results should reassure consumers about the safety of soybean oil used for cooking.

Muktadir stressed that ensuring the quality of food and other consumer products was a state responsibility. He also said plans were underway to expand BSTI’s activities to strengthen the country’s standards and quality-control system.

FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Haque said the government planned to generate 20 per cent of the country’s total energy from renewable sources by 2030, calling the initiative important for energy security and achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Industries Ministry Secretary Abdun Naser Khan stressed the need to improve product quality and international competitiveness, particularly as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the least developed country category. He also called for strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises and supporting entrepreneurs in producing quality goods.

BSTI Director General Kazi Imdadul Haque chaired the event, attended by senior officials from the Industries Ministry, BSTI and the Prime Minister’s Office.